Method for UV curing a coating on a filament or the like

Abstract

This invention relates to a tubular apparatus for UV curing coatings on a continuous filament in which concentric tubes are provided and through which the filament passes after being coated for curing the coating, with the apparatus having the first inner tube which passes the UV light through the tube to cure the filament passing therethrough, and a second concentric tube superposed over the first tube and spaced therefrom which reflects IR light and passes UV light to prevent burning and destroying the coating on the filament as it passes through the first tube.

I claim:  
     
       1. The method of manufacturing a coated filament including the steps of: 
       a) coating a filament with a UV radiation curable resin;  
       b) providing a UV radiation generating apparatus that also generates IR radiation, apparatus providing a cure zone;  
       c) passing the filament through the cure zone; and  
       c) reflecting the IF radiation away from the cure zone.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       a) said reflecting step is implemented with a first tube through which the filament passes; and  
       b) said tube is coated with IR reflecting and UV transmitting material.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       a) the cure zone includes a second tube disposed within the first tube.  
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       a) said material has an IR reflectivity of about 90% for wavelengths greater than 800 nm and transmitability between about 70% to 50% for wavelengths less than about 400 nm.